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MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Minutes of July 15, 2009
8:00AM
ROLL CALL
Ron Cain, Jr. - present Margaret
Miller – Sanders - present
Everett Vreeland
- present Mark Tabakin - present
Ron Soussa -
present Deane Driscoll -
present
Jennifer Horowitz - absent Alexander
Kachmar – Alt. #1 - absent
Greg Milazzo – Alt #2 –
absent
Liaisons:
Township Committee: Deb Nielson – present
Township Officials: Linda White, Land Use Administrator - present
Planning Board Liaison: Gary Lewis & Tony Speciale – present
OLD BUSINESS
Website Development – update
Mrs. White
indicated nothing new other than what was last stated that a company was going
to be putting items/videos/photos on web, at no cost, since they are using
advertisers for free service.
She also noted
that another Quick Chek application is due to be filed at the Board of
Adjustment, but on the site where the two houses were demolished. This application, from what she understands,
will not involve the construction of the by-pass road that was considered to
help reduce some of the traffic in this area.
She also noted that there is a mirror image of the existing office
building near Rt. 287 (Pallantine/DiCiccio building) that is approved but
approval is conditioned upon construction of this by-pass road. Discussion ensued on why the prior
application did not go forward, noting that there is an property owner involved
that did not want to give up any of his lands for the development proposal.
Discussion ensued
on how the Township or whether the Township should consider pursuing this with
the discussion leading to the conclusion that perhaps if this Bypass Road was
construction, ,it could allow the DiCioccio and prior site planned for a Quick
Chek to be development. Mr. Soussa indicated
he might support condemnation of the property needed in order to see this come
to fruition. Mrs. Nielson indicated that
the Township did send a representative to discuss this issue with that owner,
but nothing came of it, so the issue was put on a back burner. Mrs. Nielson indicated that she would bring
this back to the Township Committee again since perhaps it should be
readdressed now.
Mrs. White
mentioned that there will be an office/warehouse proposal on River Road adjacent to public works (Pinto
site).
Update: Master Plan update – input by Master Plan
subcommittee
Ordinance Areas for future Planning Board discussion: lack
of signs permitted in R27D; look at R27D and requirement of loading docks in
office building.
Properties & Areas of interest: Emery Road, Kokora,
run down homes on Changebridge
Road
Concerns noted on
time constraints as to EDC being able to supply and discuss redevelopment/other
areas that may be in need of change in zoning.
Both Ms. Horowitz and Mr. Milazzo were not able to make the
meeting. Discussion ensued on goals and
objectives that EDC should be considering in preparation for master plan.
The EDC has been
maintaining a list of areas already.
Several board members volunteered other areas: consider allowing retail in the OB1
zones. Mrs. White noted that Pinto is
filing an application as referenced, and that different uses were discussed,
one of which was an indoor sports facility.
Mr. Soussa thought this area from River Road/Horseneck should be
investigated to allow retail. He also
indicated another area that may be good for retail in along Chapin where the JP
Western Wear site exists.
Mrs. White noted a
site plan was prepared for this site as warehouse/offices and the front house a
small deli, but they never went forward.
Another area mentioned was the corner of Rt. 287/Main
(Giancaterino/Folgelson property). This
property was said to have some severe constraints and limited access.
Mr. Soussa also
mentioned the property on the north side of Rt. 202 (Giancanterino had a 5,000
sq. ft. office building design that he withdrew in this area), and see if any
zoning changes may encourage redevelopment, development along this area.
Mrs. Nielson
indicated that this town is 90% residential and 10% commercial, and that she
hopes the EDC focus on what they want to see as a goal for the future of this
community with this 10%. Do you think
the community should intensify existing businesses, expansion of existing business,
what type of business do we need, do we want hotels, mixed uses?
She had hoped the
EDC would offer their ‘vision’ to the Planning Board with some
recommendations. General discussion
ensued, with several mentioning that a food store should be something we look
to get, but understanding that there is little property left for a large store,
look for something like a Trader Joe/small Wegmann type of food store.
Also discussed is
the fact that we have to acknowledge that Rt. 46 highway has to be treated
differently, and that this type of retail theme is not something we would want
to carry along our interior main corridors.
These corridors should be treated more with a neighborhood commercial
type of use, nothing that would create that denser highway retail use.
The committee also
discussed encouraging and promoting property owners to ‘marry sites’ together
so that if there is a possibility of redevelopment for an upscale Trader Joe’s,
etc., then this would make some of these areas revitalized while large enough
to carry some of the retail uses that we may envision for the future.
Mr. Tabakin
indicated we need to serve our residents acknowledging that times have changed
and that we are 90% residents and we should try to find amenities/stores that
encourage our residents to shop locally.
Mrs. Nielson stressed that we need to know from the EDC what will create
a ‘vibrant community’.
Another area that
should be investigated is Old Bloomfield with the houses behind the commercial
Rt. 46 area looked at (south side).
Joining some of these lots may encourage redevelopment that attracts the
small food chain store. It is a natural
out growth in this area, in view of the existing developments and mixed uses
along this street, also noting the recent approval of Lowes and the other large
anchor building which is without a tenant at this time. Perhaps we can look at this area similar to
what was done in the Boonton town center.
Another area that
is a possibility for retail would be Stiles
Lane. We
already have various warehouses and businesses in this area. Mrs. White mentioned she understands that
Paul Miller will be leaving, and the Planning Board originally offered retail
to the owner who chose at that time to go into a long term lease with Paul
Miller. This is an area that should be
investigated.
Mr. Driscoll said
he would talk with Mrs. Horowitz and Mr. Milazzo and see if we can get
something more formal in the way of goals and objectives and areas to
review. It is anticipated this will be
available for the August 19th meeting.
Shop Local Campaign
– no discussion
Montville Day – no discussion
Vacancy Listing
& Mapping – Mrs. White indicated Mr. Vreeland does not have the ability to
maintain the lists we comprise, and since Mr. Vreeland left earlier in the
meeting, the issue of he serving as secretary and function of carried to August
agenda.
MINUTES
Adoption of EDC minutes of 6-17-09
– Eligible: Mr. Cain, Mr. Driscoll, Ms. Sanders, Mr. Soussa - adopted
unanimously.
Meeting adjourned
unanimously,
Respectfully
submitted,
Linda M. White
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